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The Pulse (04-09-14)

April 9, 2014 ● Volume 03, Issue 14

Credit Union News

MnCUN to hold Annual Meeting & Convention pre-event webinar

On Thursday, April 17, at 10 a.m. the Minnesota Credit Union Network will host an Annual Meeting & Convention pre-event webinar. MnCUN's Vice President Association Services Kristina Wright and MnCUN Director of Education Sue Groskreutz will overview topics related to the April 25-26 meeting, including a schedule and session overview, conference highlights, and tips on getting the most out of the two-day event. Webinar participants will get insider information on session speakers and exhibitors. The webinar will conclude with a question & answer period. Similarly, a webinar for Exhibit Hall participants will be held on Wednesday, April 16.

An email will be sent to those registered for the 2014 Annual Meeting & Convention with directions on how to access the webinar.

Foundation hosts Financial Literacy 5K – registration open

Financial education supporters and running enthusiasts – mark your calendars to participate in the inaugural Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Financial Literacy 5K! Set for Saturday, July 12, at Lake Normandale in Bloomington, this event is a walk/run and kids run, powered by soleMOTION Race Management.

The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation is an organization dedicated to providing the resources for credit unions and communities to prosper and thrive. In 2013, the Foundation launched its Financial Education Grant Program and an ongoing budgetary commitment to financial education. The Foundation dedicates 50 percent of its annual budget to Financial Education Grants that positively impact credit union members and communities.

Any credit unions, school or organization that registers five or more Financial Literacy 5K participants will automatically be “in the running” for the team award. Participants’ times will be aggregated and averaged to determine the best team time. It’s a pride thing! Team winners will be announced in the weeks following the race.

Regardless of whether the country is in a period of recession, expansion or some stage in between, it is vital for credit union employees to have a firm understanding of financial principles. The Minnesota Credit Union Network's Financial Principles & Business Planning Workshop (formerly known as Financial Management School) blends theory with practical application to provide professionals with a thorough understanding of the fiscal aspects of the credit union.

This training will develop a foundation of the basic financial principles and guide attendees on how to take that knowledge to the next level. Using their own credit union's financials, attendees will calculate, examine and discuss key financial ratios. The ratios will then serve as a basis for an analysis on the strategic issues and financial challenges facing their credit unions today and into the future. During the discussion, attendees will:

Receive at least three new ideas that can be implemented at their credit union.

Jim Aho has been serving credit unions in various capacities since 1973. He holds a CPA certificate and travels throughout the United States providing education and management advisory services to credit unions of all sizes. In addition to writing numerous books and several of CUNA's Volunteer Achievement Program modules, Aho is focused on helping credit unions grow to the "next level" through strategic planning, organizational restructure, staff development and training programs. Over the years he has worked with over 900 credit unions throughout the United States and is a frequent speaker at credit union meetings across the country.

Top 4 reasons to attend Hike the Hill in June

Credit union professionals and volunteers are invited to attend the 2014 Hike the Hill in Washington, D.C. This year’s event is moving to June 9-11 – a departure from the typical fall time-frame – to ensure that the credit union message is heard in advance of the upcoming 2014 elections in November. Hike the Hill provides credit union representatives with an exciting opportunity to meet with federal legislators in an intimate setting to discuss top credit union issues.

During Hike the Hill visits, credit union professionals and volunteers meet with the entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation and typically visit the National Credit Union Administration Board, the Credit Union National Association, and visit Credit Union House on Capitol Hill.

Below are the “top 4” reasons to attend Hike the Hill this June:

Meet face-to-face with our federal elected officials to discuss the credit union industry

Receive current legislative insight from MnCUN and CUNA staff to equip you for Hill visits

Speak directly with NCUA to share your thoughts and concerns about regulatory issues

Register now to attend this important advocacy event! For additional information on room blocks and flight schedules, visit the Hike the Hill page of the Network website. With questions, contact MnCUN Political Advocacy Director Ryan Smith by email or at (651) 288-5533.

The Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) will host the public and local St. Cloud media representatives at a news event featuring financial education initiatives led by St. Cloud Federal Credit Union and Catholic United Financial Credit Union on Thursday, April 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Great River Regional Library in St. Cloud. St. Cloud State University will also participate in this event, and the news event will include the following slate of speakers:

Mark D. Cummins, MnCUN President & CEO, will talk about the credit union mission of helping members build financial knowledge and highlight the importance of financial literacy.

Tammy Butler, St. Cloud Federal Credit Union’s Sartell Office Supervisor and coordinator of Financial Fitness Workshops, will share an overview of the credit union’s financial education activities, including its Financial Fitness Workshop Series, which is being held throughout the month of April.

King Banaian, St. Cloud State University Economics Professor, will provide consumer tips and share his perspectives on financial education and the importance of credit unions in St. Cloud and Minnesota’s economy

The St. Cloud news event is part of a month-long series of activities being held by the Network and credit unions around the state to celebrate Financial Literacy Month in April. If your credit union is holding Financial Literacy Month events in your community, please send your information to Director of Communications Connie Kuhn. The Network will help spread the news by sharing your event information on the MN Credit Union News website

St. Paul Federal Credit Union and Postal Credit Union will welcome Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman to their student-run branches at Como Park Senior High School (St. Paul) and Tartan High School (Oakdale) on Wednesday, April 16.

Commissioner Rothman is visiting the schools to help celebrate Financial Literacy Month with the students. In conjunction with the Minnesota Credit Union Network, Commissioner Rothman will also recognize the success and efforts of St. Paul FCU and Postal CU, which have three student-run credit union branches in Twin Cities-area high schools between them.

St. Paul FCU’s branch at Como Park Senior High School opened in the fall of 2012, and the credit union opened its second student-run branch at Harding Senior High School in March. Postal CU’s Tartan High School branch opened in February 2013.

Credit Unions in the News

Follow the links on the stories below to read more about the outstanding programs, new initiatives and well-deserved recognition received by your peers recently. Got news of your own? Send stories, pitches, press releases and published articles to MnCUN Director of Communications Connie Kuhn.

NCUA Issues Letters to Credit Unions

Invest in America
helps credit unions write more auto loans

Credit unions looking
for auto loans should turn to Invest in America. Research shows that those participating in
this program see an increase loans. Plus Invest in America provides credit
unions resources to market the program to members.

In further support of credit unions and members, the Invest in America program was established at the end of 2008. Thanks to our partnerships, credit union members can receive terrific discounts on a new car, online shopping, flowers, wireless services and more. View the Invest in America credit union member offers.

Invest in America is
committed to making its GM program a success at your credit union. Program
benefits include:

Preferred pricing discount;

General web banners;

Marketing email templates;

General inserts/take ones;

General lobby posters;

E-statement creative;

Newsletter articles and email
messages copy;

Email services from CU
Solutions Group;

Website and social media
content;

Loan links on GM microsite; and

Weekly emails of in-market
members.

Credit unions can choose
from two levels of participation – Premium or Standard – based on the amount of
marketing they can commit to. This allows all credit unions to participate and
continue to offer this valuable discount and benefit of membership to their
members.

While visiting the
Partner Center, you can also get program information by clicking on GM ProgramOverview. With questions about Invest in America, contact MnCUN Director of
Business Development Vickie Ganrude by email or at (651) 288-5515.